Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the TTC Silent Bluish White are two popular options with distinct characteristics. The G Pro 3.0 Red is a linear switch, known for its budget-friendly nature and smooth typing experience. It strikes a balance between responsiveness and ease of use with its medium-light actuation force. Additionally, the G Pro Red boasts a frosted light diffuser, allowing for vibrant RGB lighting effects, and a medium-high pitch that provides a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White is a tactile switch that offers a satisfying level of resistance when pressed, delivering a precise and comfortable typing experience. Despite its medium tactility, these switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the TTC Silent Bluish White switches both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This choice provides them with similar benefits in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. The clear nature of polycarbonate also makes it an excellent choice for switches that feature RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and visual appeal when using either of these switches.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both switches use nylon. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material and is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer nature allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both the G Pro 3.0 Red and the Silent Bluish White will provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the keys.
However, it's worth noting that while the top and bottom housing materials in the switches are the same, the overall sound profile may vary slightly due to the split in responsibilities. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This difference may result in subtle variations in sound between the G Pro 3.0 Red and the Silent Bluish White switches, even though they share the same housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, we can see that both switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that when typing on either switch, you will experience a similar level of resistance when pressing the keys all the way down. However, when it comes to the actuation force, the G Pro 3.0 Red requires 45 grams of force, while the Silent Bluish White requires 42 grams. This means that the Silent Bluish White switch is slightly lighter in terms of actuation force.
Considering the weight of the switches is important for different reasons. Those who prefer a lighter actuation force may find the Silent Bluish White switch more suitable for their needs, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. This can be beneficial for individuals who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions, as it reduces the strain on their fingers. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Red switch provides a slightly stronger push feel with its higher actuation force of 45 grams. This can offer a more substantial typing experience and may be preferred by individuals who appreciate a bit more resistance when pressing the keys. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0mm, which is considered to be the more traditional distance. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5mm. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Red has a longer travel distance compared to the Silent Bluish White. The 4.0mm travel distance of the G Pro 3.0 Red offers a deeper feel when pressing down on the keys, which may be preferred by those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the 3.5mm travel distance of the Silent Bluish White provides a shallower feel, which can be beneficial for gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and desired typing or gaming experience. If you enjoy a deeper typing sensation, the G Pro 3.0 Red with its longer travel distance would be a suitable option. However, if you prioritize quicker response times, the slightly shorter travel distance of the Silent Bluish White may be more appealing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Red for $2.77.
The TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red is known for its medium-high pitch, providing a satisfying auditory experience. It is described as having a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and sound level, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced typist and whether you use it at home or work. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White is designed to be as quiet as possible. It is described as having a muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it perfect for office or shared living spaces where minimizing noise is important.
In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Red offers a creamy, mild, polished, and silky typing experience. The switch is described as smooth and buttery, providing a silky sensation and effortless keystrokes. It falls into the safe middle-ground zone in terms of feel.
Similarly, the Silent Bluish White offers a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished typing experience. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with a gentle resistance and a gentle sound signature. These qualities make it approachable and suitable for shared spaces.
Overall, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and TTC Silent Bluish White switches offer different subjective qualities when it comes to sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Red has a medium-high pitch and a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various uses. It offers a creamy, mild, polished, and silky typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch is designed to be quiet, with a muted sound profile. It provides a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished typing experience. Both switches offer smooth and enjoyable typing experiences, albeit with different sound and feel profiles. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly, smooth linear switch with a balanced actuation force, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red would be a suitable choice. It offers a medium-light actuation force of 50 grams, making it easy to type on without sacrificing responsiveness. Additionally, it features a frosted light diffuser for vibrant RGB lighting effects and a medium-high pitch for a satisfying auditory experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a precise and comfortable typing experience, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch is worth considering. It also has a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a light touch. These switches offer a medium level of tactility and are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use.
In terms of sound, the G Pro 3.0 Red is described as having a neutral sound profile, suitable for both beginners and advanced users in any setting. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White switch is described as producing a softer and quieter sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
As for the feel, the G Pro 3.0 Red is described as creamy, mild, polished, and silky. This means it offers a smooth, gentle, and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch is described as buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with gentle resistance, and a sleek typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and TTC Silent Bluish White switches depends on your preferences for linear or tactile switches, as well as your desired sound and feel. Consider the factors mentioned above and select the switch that aligns with your typing preferences and environment.
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